Correlation of Her-2/Neu detection and angiogenesis in breast cancer — Proposed role in micrometastatic progression

Overexpression/amplificatio n of Her-2/Neu increases angiogenesis in breast cancer. Her-2/Neu amplification is seen in bone marrow micrometastatic cells and correlates with Her-2/Neu amplification in primary tumour. The proangiogenic effect of Her2/Neu may represent metastatic progression in bone marrow micrometastases and may therefore be a potential target for the treatment of micrometastatic disease.